Many badmouth mental health professionals saying scripture is the answer: Sumbul Iqbal

The 'Barfi Laddu' actor is urging people to talk about mental health, says timely action can make a difference

Pakistani TV actor Sumbul Iqbal took to her Instagram Story late on Wednesday to join the discourse around mental health in Pakistan.

The Jaal actor not only talked about how religion and faith can help better your condition but also tackled how that may not work the same for everybody with mental health issues.



“Islam encourages people to stay hopeful even if someone has committed the worst sin or is faced with the most troublesome life event as there is always God’s mercy,” she wrote, before quoting a verse from the Holy Quran.

She then went on to advocate for #MentalHealthMatters saying how that may not be enough for some, writing, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. It can make all the difference.”



“’Namaz kills depression’, ‘Pray to Allah’ or ‘Perform salah.’ Many even go as far as to badmouth mental health professionals with claims that religious scripture is the only answer…” she went on.



Sumbul then mentioned how it’s high time that mental health is taken as seriously as ‘other hurts’. “Just because the wounds can’t be seen doesn’t mean the injuries don’t exist. If you are willing to see a doctor for that pain, why not talk to a counsellor for the pain in your heart?” she questioned.

Sumbul’s plea seemingly comes amid a heightened discourse around mental health after Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide on June 14.

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